Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the encumbrance of funding in the amount of up to $10,000,000.00 relative to the Roadway Improvements - I-70/71 South and East Freeways project and the expenditure of said funds to support construction, utility relocations and construction services for the project.
Administered by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the Roadway Improvements - I-70/71 South and East Freeways project, also known as Downtown Ramp Up, consists of several phases culminating in various improvements to the Interstate Route 70 (IR70) and Interstate Route 71 (IR71) corridor in Downtown Columbus, including reconstructing and widening portions of IR70 eastbound and westbound between Fourth Street and Miller Avenue and resurfacing portions of IR70 and IR71. Construction first commenced in the spring of 2019 and is expected to continue through at least 2026. The estimated cost to complete the multi-phase project is $1.4 billion, which will be funded by a combination of federal, state, and local funds.
This legislation seeks to authorize the encumbrance and expenditure of funding in the amount of up to $10,000,000.00 to support anticipated utility relocation, construction, and inspection costs incurred during the completion of current and future phases of the project. A portion of those funds will be immediately earmarked to pay the local share of additional construction costs to be incurred relative to FRA-70-12.68, PID 77372 (Project 4A), which was let on January 18, 2024.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this project is available and appropriated in the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, Fund 7704, in an amount of up to $10,000,000.00. An amendment to the 2023 Capital Improvement Budget is necessary for the purpose of providing sufficient spending authority for the aforementioned expenditure.
3. MINORITY AND WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE & SMALL LOCAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM
ODOT is a political subdivision of the State o...
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